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Melbourne’s best Korean BBQ

Published by itstinghc

Winter is the season for hearty food and we reckon that Korean food, especially Korean BBQ is the best way to cure that craving. It is time to get your friends together for a late night out, have some Soju and enjoy the novelty of a barbie indoor.

Woodo Korean | 179 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000

There is always a line on the weekends to get a table at Woodo, and there is a reason why. The staff is attentive, they help you cook your food while you chat away with your mates, the food is delicious and you cannot forget the complimentary dessert at the end! Our favourite set of BBQ is the beef & pork set, enough for 3 people to share.

Seouljaboy | 9/108 Bourke St Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

This new boy in town has got some beats to it, Korean food with a Western twist. Find DJ @jmush-jun doing his magic on Friday nights while you eat some friend chicken ribs (yum)! Seouljaboy offers a Feed Me option where they feed you with chef’s selection of recommended dishes to share, what a way to try their food!

P.S

Don’t forget to take a moustache selfie while you are in the bathrooms.

Sam Sam | 209 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Fried chicken and beer? Yes, please! You cannot get anymore Korean than Sam Sam. Traditionally in Korea, they enjoy a night out after a long day at work so they catch up with friends at restaurants that simply only serve fried chicken and beer! Make your Korean trip a little more local with Sam Sam’s convenient Swanston Street location and to-die-for chicken.

Oriental Spoon | 254 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000

A spacious two stories Korean restaurant where you can always get a table. The place to be for big group of friends. The service is quick, food is delicious, and if you love spicy food – Oriental spicy Seafood Casserole is your choice. The décor of the restaurant might not be the best, but hey, they have offer unlimited side dishes!

CJ Lunch Bar | 391-393 Little Lonsdale Street

A very cozy place with some cheap but yummy food. If you are on a budget and crave for some hearty food, CJ Lunch Bar is the place. All the dishes are made to share with their generous portion, and we love their spicy cheese chicken Bulgogi and spicy slow cooked beef ribs. (Warning, Asian spicy standard.)

A Chocolate Lover’s Guide to Melbourne

Published by We Know Melbourne

Cookies and milk. Gin and tonic. Nutella and Spoons. Some things are just made for each other, and in our eyes Winter and Chocolate are the perfect match. Whether it’s in the form of a hot chocolate scalding the tongue, a cheeky box of handmade belgian treats or a more-ish pastry bursting with sugar laden loveliness, here’s our pick for chocolate in Melbourne:

Cacao Lab

Servicing the sweet tooths of St Kilda since 2003, Cacao has created a CBD lab to take chocolate love to the next level. With their full range of more-ish treats. Infamous for their decadent éclairs, pastries and handmade chocolates, enjoy an old school treat in their futuristic setting in the heart of the city

Where: Drivers Lane, City. Also available in Highpoint and St Kilda.

Pana Chocolate

If you’ve ever snaffled up one of Pana’s blocks from your local health food store or grocer, rejoice – Pana’s flagship store in the heart of Richmond is here to serve you even more vegan friendly delights. Expanding from their winning blocks with flavours like goji berry, sour cherry and coconut, delight in good-for-you desserts like the Vespa Wheel (A wagon wheel made friendly), peanut butter cups and a bevvy of delicious cheesecakes. Their vegan hot chocolates also make for a fabulous treat without the usual heaviness of a traditional sugar and milk filled mug. Delish.

Where: 491 Church St, Richmond.

Mork

If you’ve had a hot chocolate at any trendy café, there is a high chance it was a Mork hot chocolate. Trained chocolatier Josefin Zernell and partner Kiril Shaginov meld together their incredibly chocolate blend to create the ultimate destination for your sweet tooth. The Mork Chocolate Brew house devotes itself to hot chocolate in winter and iced chocolates in Summer, with their modern presentations of the humble chocolate begging for an Instagram snap.

Where: Mork Chocolate Brew House, 150 Errol St, North Melbourne

Xocolatl

Get back to the true roots of cacao with Xocolatl (Pronounced Sho-ko-lat-l), named after the Aztec word for Chocolate and repping the original source of the cacao bean. Xocolatl combines the traditional with the straight up weird, offering alluring combinations such as basil champagne, chilli toffee and their famous balsamic strawberry. Pick up a box of handmade Belgium chocolates for now, and a couple of blocks for later – you won’t be disappointed!

Where: 11 Strathalbyn St, Kew East

Burch & Purchese

Dubbed the “hallway of treats” (by me – Who used to live dangerously close to B&P), Burch and Purchese’s South Yarra Store has something for everyone. Chocopops are a fun favourite, as well as their zingy lemon tarts and incredible bespoke cakes. Their seasonal tubular “cakes” that look more like works of art wrapped tidily in their famous cake boxes are worth it just for the instagram pics.

Where: Burch & Purchese, 647 Chapel Street, South Yarra.

Chocoholic Tours Melbourne

If this list has left you confused, bereft and hungry, look no further than Melbourne’s famous Chocoholic tours to organise your sweet needs in the convenience of a few city blocks. Starting in the picturesque Block Arcade, Chocoholic tour’s “Chocolate Lanes and Arcades” tour is a two and a half hour trip through some of Melbournes most beautiful spots, combining tastings, morning or afternoon tea with hidden hot spots and sight seeing.

Details: Choose your perfect Melbourne chocolate tour here

The stars of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2017

Published by kerstdwkm

For fans of the fun, frivolity and straight out pure talent enjoyment that comes with quality cabaret, this years’ Melbourne Cabaret Festival, now in its eighth year promises to be one that fans of the genre will love.

We recently caught up with one of our besties, the fabulous Dolly Diamond, who is this year’s Artistic Director, Jon Jackson from “Queen of Broadway – The Ethel Merman Story” and Danielle O’Malley, star of “You’re my world – the Cilla Black Story”

But first, darling Dolly:

Dolly, how did you feel when you were appointed artistic director of the 2017 Melbourne Cabaret Festival?

When they first mentioned (it) I think a little bit of wee left me… (It happens) and normally I jump in where angels fear to tread, but this time I actually took a bit of time to think about it. I wanted to be sure I could commit to it and do a good job… but once I said yes I was thrilled.

How are you going to make your mark on this year’s festival?

It was important to me to make this years’ festival really focused on local Australian talent, there’s a wealth of it. We don’t have million dollar budgets so I loved looking locally rather than importing talent.

We know you can’t have favourites… but any tips for ‘must-see shows?’

Oh I definitely have favourites but when it comes to the shows I’d like you to see?…All of them!

Dolly’s Show – The Lady is a Tramp, runs from Tuesday 20 June to Sunday 2 July at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran.

The divine Jon Jackson

What is the inspiration behind your show?

I have always admired Ethel Merman’s unique vocal style, and even mimicked her voice in one of my first successful shows back in 1990. In ‘Bugle Boys’ last year, it was a big challenge to get our three male voices to sound like the Andrews Sisters. One day during rehearsals, the part I was singing was changed, and in order to sing it I went into Ethel’s voice without realising. Our musical director remarked how like her I sounded and so later, I started to experiment with taking it further. This show is the end result of that process.

What should the audience expect from your show?

This production sees me as the legendary Broadway star, Ethel Merman returned from ‘the other side’. She died in 1984 and in our show; she’s decided to make a comeback. To do this, she needs a body to inhabit and she chooses me. I have the voice and the presence, so my gender is something she’s prepared to overlook. I sing many of her numerous hits by George & Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerry Herman, Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim. On top of that, we have her sing some songs by people that she’s met on the other side, such as Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Amy Winehouse.

What about the Cabaret Festival gets you excited?

The chance to see new shows, whether they are from established acts or newcomers. I love to see things which are entirely new, because they show you the direction Cabaret is taking.

How do you recommend people get the most out of the Cabaret Festival?

See as many shows as you can over the two weeks. Check out the programme; work out a schedule and pace yourself comfortably. Grab a bite at nearby Chapel Street and make a night of it.

What do you do during the festival when not performing?

Because my show is on at 7pm, when it finishes, I go and see other shows. I prefer to go and be an audience member, because to save my voice, I can’t go out or chat with friends afterwards. I can relax and enjoy the results of somebody else’s blood sweat and tears.

If you could name one person who inspired you to get into the performing arts, who would that be?

My drama teacher Robert Ketton really encouraged me to audition for the high school musical when I was 13. It was a pantomime called ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ and my buddy at the time, Gary Little and I were both cast as a campy comedy duo. He was tall and I was short and we did funny patter songs and gags. There was massive applause, we were a huge hit and I was hooked from then on.

Jon’s show – ‘Queen of Broadway – The Ethel Merman Story’ is on at Chapel Off Chapel, 21 – 25 June 2017, 7pm.

The Incredible Danielle O’Malley – “You’re My World – The Cilla Black Story”

What is the inspiration behind your show?

Originally it was the music that Cilla Black recorded. Burt Bacharach, Lennon & McCartney – their lyrics and melodies speak to me in a way that current contemporary music doesn’t. Then as I started researching for the show and watching Cilla Black’s interviews and performances, I fell in love with her spirit and personality.

What should the audience expect from your show?

The concept behind this show is Cilla Black in concert. Audiences can expect to learn something new about Cilla and other musicians who were around when the Mersey beat began, through entertaining stories being told with the self-deprecating humour that Cilla was famous for – and of course, some wonderful music.

What about Cabaret Festival gets you excited?

The term cabaret is difficult to define and I love that this festival allows a platform for performers and musicians to perform such a wide variety of works.

If you could name one person (dead or alive) who inspired you to get into the performing arts who would that be?

Julie Andrews. I watched The Sound of Music on repeat as a child…and sometimes still do.

Danielle’s show – ‘You’re My World – The Cilla Black Story’ is on at Chapel Off Chapel, June 27th – July 1st, 6:30pm.

The Melbourne Cabaret Festival is now on and runs from Tuesday 20 June to Sunday 2 July at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran. Check their website for the full program: melbournecabaret.com

Interview by Kerstyn Dance

What you’re doing this weekend

Published by We Know Melbourne

If you’ve already binged watched the new season of OITNB and House of Cards, it’s time to get out of the house – here are our top picks for this weekend:

Italian Food and Wine Festival: If the weather is getting you down, heat up with a festival devoted to the world’s favourite cuisine. The Italian Food and Wine festival will tempt you with over 200 wine makers, importers and chefs, ready to stuff you full of carb loaded love.

Where: The Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
More: www.italianwinefoodfestival.com.au/melbourne/

Ru Paul’s Drag Race VAC-stravaganza trivia night: If you’re up for a sickening night and want to show off your Ru Paul’s Drag Race knowledge while supporting the Victorian Aids Council, lend your gag worthy smarts to an incredibly outrageous trivia night at Meat Market. Half price tickets if you show up in your best drag – but please, no kimonos.

Where: Meat Market, 185 Blackwood Street Melbourne
More: Tickets here

Melbourne Design Market: This Melbourne event staple returns this weekend to offer Fed Square a taste of the artisanal and handmade. Peruse a variety of stalls devoted to high quality locally designed goods, as well as music, food and incredible coffee.

Where: The Underground Carpark at Fed Square, Swanston Street
More: http://www.melbournedesignmarket.com.au/home/

Preserving workshop at Fowlers: Looking for something a little hands on? Fowlers Kitchen at Fowlers Vacola has a variety of workshops running throughout the year, devoted to preserves, baking and just generally that stuff your grandmother could do that you never really picked up. Try your hand at the OG of DIY and create some fantastic winter treats.

Where: Fowlers Vacola, 23-25 Racecourse Road North Melbourne
More: http://fowlersvacola.com.au/cooking-school

Sweet, Savoury, Special – June Edition

Published by leewkm

Variety is the spice of life – That’s why our foodies are always on the hunt for interesting faire and where to find it. Sweet, Savoury, Special is our top three picks for where to find something that suits whatever direction your palette is taking you.

SWEET:

Lukumades, West Melbourne: Doughnuts are in and there is no stopping them. Up your game with Lukumades greek doughnuts, bite sized balls of pure love and lavish toppings served hot from this funky new West Melbourne spot. As founder Exarhos Sourligas said to Good Food “We only do one thing – but we do it really well”. Find Lukumades for your loukomades needs opposite Queen Victoria market for a sweet fix as you wander through.

Where: 83 Peel St, West Melbourne VIC 3003

More: lukumades.com.au

SAVOURY

Horn Please – Fitzroy: Based around the concept of “Indian with no boundaries” Horn Please separates itself from traditional Indian restaurants. Owner and head chef Amar Singh takes dishes from various regions of India, then makes them his own with unique spices and stunning presentation. All meals can be paired with one of the many exotic drinks that the restaurant have to offer.

Horn Please features an extensive range of international beers and ciders. The selection includes local craft beers and ciders such as the ever-popular Stone and Wood or Lucky Duck Cider, through to imported brews such as the mouth-watering Duvel Belgium beer.

Where: 167 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068

More: http://www.hornplease.com.au

SPECIAL

Kisune, Flinders Lane: If you’re already in love with the Lucas’s groups foodie five star list (Chin Chin, Baby, Kong, Hawker Hall) Kisune is a step up into something a little more swish. Three levels of Japanese faire includes a sushi station, a Chablis bar and Kuro Kisume, the premium level, offers private dining for a corporate scene looking to really impress. The overall tone is modern, polished, and a little bit Patrick Bateman. Head chef K.S Moon is ready to delight with nigiri, Alaskan crab rolls and foie gras with beef tenderloin.

Where: 175 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

More: Book your spot at opentable.com.au

WIN: One of 2 x Double Passes to the Melbourne Ice Slide

Published by We Know Melbourne

Thank you for your entries! This competition is now closed

The Winter School Holidays will see the heart of Southbank once again transformed into an action packed winter wonderland when Eureka Skydeck present the return of the giant Melbourne Ice Slide for kids, parents and the whole of Melbourne to enjoy. Warm up this winter with an exhilarating journey down the Melbourne Ice Slide!

We’ve got two double passes up for grabs. To win, follow us on Facebook and check out the competition post for details. Find the Facebook post here.

Discover more about the Melbourne Ice Slide here

For the Love of Books

Published by kerstdwkm

If, like us, you love losing yourself in a good book and currently own too many books to fit into your existing shelf space, there is a gorgeous little event coming up in Melbourne for Bibliophile’s just like you.

Find yourself purposely lost down the rabbit hole of rare, old books, breathing in the musty scent of a thousand stories, at the sixth annual Melbourne Rare Book Fair presented by the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Book Sellers. This Melbourne event, which runs during the first week of July offers lectures, presentations, exhibitions, readings, tours and more, all free and all about books.

The 2017 lineup also includes a new addition of 3 programs specifically designed for kids including a school holiday book-making workshop, an illuminated manuscript calligraphy art lesson and a museum drawing studio session.

There are quite a lot of events during Melbourne Rare Book week, but our program highlights include:

Readings from Jane Austen

To commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the death of Jane Austin, Sydney author Susannah Fullerton, and Melbourne book collector Chris Browne will read aloud from a collection of works written by (and about) the famous author.
Where: Library at the Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
When: 4.30-5.30pm, Saturday 1 July

Collecting Children’s Books

Lead by Richard Overell, this presentation covers the finer parts of collecting what is labeled as the most charming field of collection – Children’s Books. Richard will focus mainly from the early 19^th century to now, as well as board games, swap cards and comics.
Where: Melbourne Athenaeum Library, L1, 188 Collins Street, CBD
When: 6.00-7.00pm, Tuesday 4 July

An Amazing and Astounding World

This panel session about collecting science fiction is convened by members of the Nova Mob (the longest-running science fiction reading group in the country), where they will chat about their own collections, give advice and insights into values of rarer items and lead a general discussion with the audience on the topic.
Where: Kathleen Syme Library, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
When: 6.30-7.0pm, Tuesday 4 July

Little Golden Books

Remember these bad boys? Everyone had a Little Golden Book in their day, and everyone’s parents bought them one to keep them quiet whilst they were waiting at the cash register at Coles on grocery night. This reading session is is focused on children and their carers, and talks about all things golden, including a little bit of trivia. Adults are encouraged to bring along their favourite (if they still have them) for the high nostalgia factor.
Where: North Melbourne Library, 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne
When: 6.00-7.30pm, Wednesday, 5 July

Tall Tales and True: journeys real and imagined

This exhibition takes up residence in the new gallery space in the Matheson Library and showcases some of the best of Monash Library’s Rare Book Collection – focusing on those which depict journeys including some of our favourites; Gulliver’s Travels, Robinson Crusoe, Ulysses and Jack Kerouac’s beat-gen classic – On the Road.
Where: Matheson Library, Monash Uni, 40 Exhibition Walk, Clayton Campus
When: 9.00am-9.00pm Monday – Friday, 30 June – 7 July

Though admission to all events is free, most require pre-booking – so be sure to check up to date availabilities on the Melbourne Rare Book Week website.

Get learning readers.

When: 30 June – 9 July 2017
More information / bookings: Check out their website.

Written by Kerstyn Dance

Turn the car around: There’s a Dachshund race this weekend at Port Fairy

Published by leewkm

We’re dog obsessed at WKM – a road trip to Port Fairy for the annual Dachshund Dash? Nothing to it.

Enjoy a day full of small long dogs ready to compete in all their sausage-like glory as they scurry across the finish line. Starting with a “Dogs breakfast” the day promises sausage sizzles, coffee carts and a parade down Sackville street followed by the namesake race.

This year also brings an obstacle course and owner lookalike competition. Once you’re feted on as many short legged dogs as you can fit, be sure to check out Port Fairy itself, home to a bevvy of art galleries, wine bars and antique stores, as well as their famous beach and stunning lighthouse on Griffith’s Island.

All of this excitement kicks off on Sunday the 11th. Register your saus or find out more details here

Review: 1984

Published by We Know Melbourne

Where are you now, Winston?

An audience of a certain age will have been introduced to 1984 by the way of a forced Year 10 curriculum reading – not the most inspiring start, and definitely ironic given the themes of a story about dissent and questioning a system. For me, 1984 was a novel that made you consider the Powers That Be, contemplate dystopia as a far off concept, and get an A- on your essay about it.

Over a decade later, sitting in the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne (irony, once more) Dystopia was made front and centre. Produced by UK theatrical innovators Headlong along with Nottingham Playhouse and the Almeida Theatre, this retelling of the story of Winston Smith does not for one moment let the audience catch a breath, and fully captures the sense of unease that George Orwell attempts to express, as we watch Winston fight, struggle and question everything – including his own sanity.

While the use of set and props was fantastic, the experience, in my opinion, has to be completely given over to the brilliant use of soundscaping thanks to Tom Gibbons. Static and white noise permeate each scene, so much so that by the climax of the show nerves are frayed and the audience giggled with me, nervous and on edge, reminding ourselves fervently it is just theatre – perhaps in 2017, the concept of Big Brother is not as far away as it once was.

A jarring cast flit between roles, moods and scenes effortlessly creating 100 minutes of disconcerting love, pressure and honesty. Released after a gruelling final twenty minutes, my companion and I walk around an eerily quiet Melbourne, and I realise 1984 has done to me what few theatre shows manage – I’ve been completely spooked, and loved every minute of it.

In its final week, 1984 is not to be missed. Catch a closing show this long weekend, currently on at the Comedy theatre.

Find tickets here

A new Fitzroy, food & cocktail pairing

Published by We Know Melbourne

Long-time Fitzroy cocktail institution Polly recently formed a one-of-a-kind collaboration with ‘anti-restaurant’ project, Chee-Boh, the creative culinary side-project brought to life by Executive Chef Matthew Tine, and the results so far have been pretty magical.

Polly Manager, Dave Whitehead is pretty excited about the collab, ‘we’re pretty excited to be working side by side with an experienced restaurant team, the combination of an established cocktail bar and a restaurant is actually quite rare and we feel that this really could be a niche that the people in Melbourne are looking for.’

He went on to say, ‘there are quite a few venues already that play in the space of food and cocktail pairings, but the bar is normally created to complement the restaurant offering, in this instance, the Polly / Chee-Boh concept is really more like two strangers, coming together with great ideas.’

Chee-Boh (Cibo – Italian word for food), has already hit the ground running with a fresh, balanced and affordable menu, which was designed to perfectly complement the impressive cocktail menu, and premium ambience at Polly.

Executive Chef, Matthew Tine, worked his way up from an apprentice at Chef Hat awarded Italian Restaurant Grossi Florentino over 11 years, honing his craft before opening Fitzroy Restaurant, Mr Ottorino in 2016 with business partner Matty Miceli.

The new menu features delicious dishes like a Parfait Toasty with duck liver parfait, Jamón ibérico, fig jam and manchego on sourdough , a Potato Croquette Sandwich, natural and tempura oysters, but for the ultimate food plus cocktail pairings, we had to ask the experts themselves.

Dave’s pairing: Coffee Cured Cobia Ceviche, matched with Absinthe Bourgeois.
The strong anise notes and sweet taste are balanced well against the freshness of the ceviche. Refreshing, elegant flavours that work well together, mixed with the fun and drama of enjoying Absinthe in the traditional manner.

Matt’s pairing: Roasted Brisket Bun, matched with a Peachy Gonzale.
This cocktail is a little earthy with some sweetness whic h works well with the BBQ smokiness of the brisket and refreshes the palate.

Naturally, we tried the lot, and it was fabulous.

P.S – Vegans rejoice. Both the Chee-Boh menu and cocktail list at Polly include Vegan-friendly options.

Where: Polly Bar, 401 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
More information / menus: Check out their website.

Latest Posts

Cacao Lab

Pana Chocolate

Mork

Xocolatl

Burch & Purchese

Chocoholic Tours Melbourne

But first, darling Dolly:

The divine Jon Jackson

The Incredible Danielle O’Malley – “You’re My World – The Cilla Black Story”

The Melbourne Cabaret Festival is now on and runs from Tuesday 20 June to Sunday 2 July at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran. Check their website for the full program: melbournecabaret.com

SWEET:

SAVOURY

SPECIAL

Readings from Jane Austen

Collecting Children’s Books

An Amazing and Astounding World

Little Golden Books

Tall Tales and True: journeys real and imagined

Written by Kerstyn Dance

Written by Kerstyn Dance, photos by @brainchildphotography